Hello and welcome to HCM. Thank you for your query. From your description, this sounds like a migraine. Let me explain a few of the symptoms of a migraine for you, so you could better relate to it: -Pre-migraine Aura (a mild headache + black spots in vision) -Photophobia (irritation to light) -Irritation and intolerance to sound -Nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness are all associated with a migraine attack All the symptoms might not be present, but these are the most commonly seen ones. Also please note that migraines have found to have a triggering factor in different patients. For some it is stress, whereas for others it is related to diet (prolonged periods of starvation, or over-eating), weather, etc. Once we establish a diagnosis of migraine, we can then talk to the patient and try to figure out the triggering factor, and thus avoid it. This is a condition which is treatable and avoidable. The main thing you need to know is to recognize: 1. The cause and avoid it 2. The pre-migraine Aura, take medicine prescribed by a doctor to avoid the attack, and get some rest I hope I have succeeded in answering your questions, you could write back to me anytime for further clarifications. Best wishes.